Body positioning device



Oct. 6, 1970 L, K R .4 3,532,336

BO DY POSITIONING DEVICE Filed April 25, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2

BY M,R0 /anu Kmga Kr Dwdiu.

ATTORNE ys Oct. 6, 1970 B. BAKER BODY POSITIONING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 25, 1968 FIG. 4

LOWELL a. BAKER I N VENTOR.

Km, @Dmku A TTORNE'YS United States Patent O 3,532,336 BODY POSITIONING DEVICE Lowell B. Baker, 4922 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, Tex. 77025 Filed Apr. 25, 1968, Ser. No. 724,063 Int. Cl. A61b 19/00; A61z 13/00 US. Cl. 269-328 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In one exemplar embodiment, a portable body positioning device for use in performing medical examinations and treatment of the perineal and rectal area of a patient is provided that utilizes a molded rigid body having a contoured seating portion for accommodating the hips and buttocks of the patient, upright triangular-shaped leg rests extending from the seating portion for supporting the legs of the patient, a cross-support spaced from the junction of the seating portion and the leg rests, and a removable pan adapted to fit into the opening between the crosssupport and the base of the seating portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to surgical devices and particularly to apparatus for positioning the human body for perineal and pelvic examination and treatment.

There are many specialized tables and leg supporting devices presently in use for aiding a patient to assume an appropriate position convenient for a physician to perform examination and treatment of the perineal and pelvic areas of the human body. Such examination and treatment may be employed in providing gynecological, obstetrical, pediatric rectal and urological services and the like. This would include specialized obstetrical tables presently in use in which the patient reclines on her back with her legs in a spread apart, raised position belng supported by leg rests beneath the knees. Such tables are not adapted for portability and are not suitable for use on the bed of an invalid or extremely weak or ill patient.

There are persently utilized portable leg supporting devices that may be used in a patients bed that are designed primarily for use for positioning the patients body for bladder catheterization and support the legs in a spread apart, raised position to prevent their movement during the catherization process. In many instances, especially in nursing homes for elderly people, and especially those that are invalids or are too weak or ill to be moved, the problem attendant to performing perineal or pelvic area examinations are indeed significant, Further, the presently utilized leg supporting devices do not provide for upward rotation of the hips and buttocks of the patient from bed level to aid examination, nor do the present portable devices provide sufficient area for a physician to perform a wide variety of perineal and pelvic examination and treatment services. Further, in conducting such examinations, liquid specimens, waste materials, medicinal preparations and other like substances may be collected with out soiling the linens of the patients bed.

Presently utilized leg supports that provide a V-shaped support beneath the knee of the patient utilize only one point of support for the legs and can cause impairment of blood circulation and blood clots if the position is maintained over long periods of time. This is a sgnificant problem durng labor and delivery since thrombosis and other circulatory afflictions of the lower limbs are aggravated by childbirth.

As hereinbefore mentioned, in many nursing homes and small hospitals, where personnel and facilities are limited, it would be far more convenient to be able to perform such perineal and pelvic examinations and treatment at the patients bed utilizing a portable body positioning device. In this way the physician would be able to perform the necessary examination and treatment without moving the patient, without needing additional personnel to move invalid patients and without the need for costly specialized equipment. In addition, such a portable device would be available for providing an obstetrical body positioning apparatus to be utilized during labor and delivery when more specialized equipment is not immediately available. Such a portable body positioning device could have wide applications in rural areas or in underdeveloped countries lacking adequate medical facilities for great masses of people.

The present invention remedies the problems of the prior art by providing a lightweight, portable body positioning device that may be used directly on any relatively level surface, such as a patients bed, in order to perform a perineal and pelvic examination and treatment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The instant invention provides a novel body positioning device of a configuration that allows convenient support for the buttocks and the patients legs in a spread apart, bent-at-the-knee position that provides support throughout the length of the patients legs. The portion of the device supporting the buttocks raises the hips of the patient to provide greater access by the physician to the perineal and pelvic region and provides additional working room for use of examination and treatment instruments. A removable pan disposed between the leg rests provides a means for collecting specimens, liquid materials and other substances during the examination and treatment. The open space between the leg rests provides an adequate working area for the physician and a convenient and direct access to the perineal and pelvic areas of the patients body.

The body positioning device according to the present invention has a generally elongated wedge or A-shaped configuration with a seating portion at one end of the device that supports the patients buttocks and two upright, triangular shaped leg rests extending from the base of the seating portion and diverging outwardly to support the patients legs in a spread apart position. A cross-support member is disposed centrally between the extending legs to provide a cross brace for rigidity and stability. A pan is disposed in the area between the base of the seating portion of the body positioning device adjacent the extending legs and the cross support member and is directly below the exposed perineal and pelvic region.

The ascending and descending surfaces of the triangular shaped leg rests have a concave cross-section and rounded contoured inner and outer edges that provide a channel for supporting the patients legs from his hips throughout the length of his legs. Slots are provided on either side of the ascending and descending sides of the triangular-shaped leg rests to accommodate straps which may be utilized to restrain the legs of a patient when necessary. A slot in the end of the seating portion adjacent the outer end of the device provides a convenient handle for carrying the device from one location to another.

Accordingly, one feature of the present invention is to provide a portable body positioning device for supporting a patients legs in a spread apart position for perineal and pelvic examination and treatment.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a portable body positioning device for supporting a patients legs in a bent-at-the-knee position throughout the length of the patients legs.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a portable body positioning device that provides a removable pan for collecting specimens, liquids and other 3 substances used during the examination and treatment and preventing the soiling of the bed linens.

Yet another feature of the present invention is to provide a portable body positioning device that raises the patients hips and buttocks to provide greater visual examination of the perineal and pelvic region and provide sufl'lcient working area for the use of specialized examination and treatment instruments.

Still another feature of the present invention is to provide a portable body positioning device that is an integral molded plastic shell contoured for comfortably supporting the buttocks and legs of a patient in a desired perineal and pelvic examination and treatment position.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a portable body positioning device maybe molded of a lightweight plastic material and inexpensively produced.

Yet another feature of the present invention is to provide a portable body positioning device that may be utilized on any relatively level surface to provide a means of properly positioning a patients body for a perineal and pelvic region examination or treatment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the manner in which the above-recited advantages and features of the invention are attained, as well as others which will become apparent, can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention may be had by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings, which drawings form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the invention and therefore are not to be considered limiting of its scope for the invention may admit to further equally effective embodiments.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the body positioning device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the body positioning device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a detailed vertical cross-sectional view of the body positioning device according to this invention taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an end View of the body positioning device as seen from between the triangular shaped leg rests.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of the body positioning device according to the present invention is shown. The device 10 is of an elongated irregular-shape and is molded in one piece of a rigid material, such as plastic or the like. Body positioning apparatus 10 is generally contoured so as to support the buttocks of the human body while at the same time providing spaced-apart supporting surfaces to hold the legs of the patient in a spread apart position to facilitate examination of the perineal and pelvic region. Apparatus 10 has a contoured seating portion 12 that has a gently rounded slope from its high end down to its lower end 22. Two triangular leg rests 14 extend from the high end 20 of the seating portion 12 at a diverging angle to give the body positioning device 10 a generally wedge or A-shaped configuration.

A cross-support member 16 extends horizontally be tween the vertical upright triangular shaped leg rests 14 for providing an integral brace between the leg rests and provides rigidity and stability to the device. The ascending and descending sides of the triangular leg rests 14 have a rounded concave surface 26 that provides two shallow channels for supporting the legs of the patient. The edges of the concave channels along the outer surfaces of the leg rests 14 have outer and inner rounded edges 28 and 30, respectively, that prevent the legs of the patient from sliding horizontally and falling from the leg rests. Slots 32 are shown disposed in the sides of the leg rests 14 centrally of the ascending and descending sides to provide openings through which straps may be inserted for restraining the legs of the patient when necessary.

The top surface of the cross-support member 16 lies in a horizontal plane lower than the top of the high end 20 of seating portion 12. A pan 18 is disposed between the high end 20 and the cross-support member 16 to provide a basin to catch waste matter, specimens, and other liquids used in the treatment or examination of the patient. One end of pan 18 has a high ascending side having a flanged lip 42 that engages the top surface of the seating portion high end 20 to provide a means of support for the pan, while a flanged lip 40 around the other sides of the pan provides contact with cross-support member 16 and extending surface 17 to provide further support and stability. Adjacent the lower end of seating portion 12 is a slot 24 for providing a convenient handle by which the body positioning apparatus 10 may be carried from one location to another.

In FIG. 2, a plan view of the body positioning device 10 is illustrated. As may be seen, device 10 is of a generally wedge-shaped or A-shaped configuration, the seating portion 12 forming the upper portion of the A, with the extending and diverging leg rests 14 providing the legs of the A and the cross-support member 16 providing the cross-member to complete the A-shaped configuration. As hereinbefore mentioned, seating portion 12 is gently contoured to slope downwardly from a high end 20 to a lower end 22. Slot 24 provides a convenient means of carrying the apparatus as previously described.

The upright extending triangular-shaped leg rests 14 have an outer and inner rounded edge, 28 and 30, respectively, with a contoured concave surface therebetween. The inner edge 30 is raised slightly higher than the outer edge 28 for reasons to be hereinafter described. Pan 18 is shown having a generally trapezoidal configuration for insertion into the recess between cross-support member 16 and the high end 20 of seating portion 12. A flanged lip 40 of pan 18 extends outwardly around three sides of the pan to engage cross-support member 16 and a narrow flat surface 17 extending between member 16 and high end 20 to provide support for the pan. One end 44 of the pan 18 extends upwardly above the level of the flanged lip 40 and terminates in an outwardly extending curved flanged lip 42 that hooks over the rounded seating portion high end 20 and rests in a recess (not shown) to provide a flush contoured surface over the rounded edge of high end 20.

Referring now to FIG. 4, and end view of the body positioning apparatus 10 as seen from between the diverging triangular-shaped leg rests 14 is shown. The vertically oriented triangular shaped leg rests 14 are shown integrally extending from the high end 20 of seating portion 12. Integral cross-support member 16 is shown disposed between and interconnecting leg rests 14 for providing cross-bracing and rigid support to the body positioning device 10.

As hereinbefore mentioned, the ascending and descending surfaces of the triangular-shaped leg rests 14 have a concave surface 26 for supporting the legs of a patient positioned on apparatus 10. Also as previously discussed, the leg rests 14 have raised outer and inner edges 28 and 30, respectively, for preventing the patients legs from sliding horizontally and falling from leg rests 14. Pan 18 is shown disposed between cross-support member 16 and the seating portion high end 20. The flanged lip 4.0 of pan 18 is shown engaging the upper surface of cross-support member 16, and the flanged edge 42 of the extending side 44 is shown engaging the top surface of the seating portion higher end 20. The flanged portion 42 of extending side 44 has a rounded configuration to conform to the contour of the seating portion 12. Slots 32 are shown on the inside vertical surfaces of leg rests 14 and provide openings for the insertion of straps to be used to restrain a patients leg if necessary.

FIG. 3 provides a detailed cross-sectional 'view of the body positioning apparatus according to this invention and taken along lines 33 of FIG. 2. The seating portion 12 is shown having a gently sloping contour from its high end to its lower edge 22. Handle slot 24 is disposed adjacent the lower edge 22. Extending outwardly from the high end 20 of seating portion 12 is a triangular-shaped leg rest 14 having a rounded concave surface 26 along its ascending and descending edges and having a rounded inner edge 30. Cross-support member 16 is shown having a generally hollow U-shaped configuration with its inner vertical wall 36 spaced from the vertical wall 38 of the high end 21) of the seating portion 12. Pan 18 is shown disposed in the opening between walls 36 and 38 with the outwardly extending flanged lip 40 engaging the top surface of cross-support member 16 and the extending flat surface 17 (see FIG. 2). One end 44 of pan 18 extends upwardly above the other corresponding sides and terminates in a flanged lip 42 that,

engages a recess 46 in the outer surface along the edge of the seating portion upper end 20. With lip 42 resting in recess 46, the outer surface of lip 42 is fiush with the outer surface of the high end 20 of seating portion 12 to provide a smooth unbroken surface.

In use, and referring to FIGS. 1-4, the patient is positioned on his back on a bed mattress or other flat surface, and a small pillow or cushion is placed in the small of his back. The seating portion 12 of body positioning device 10 is inserted under the patients buttocks and his legs are drawn up in a bent-at-the-knee position and spread apart with leg rests 14 placed beneath the patients legs for support. As may be seen in FIG. 3, with the patients buttocks resting on the seating portion 12, the thighs and calves of the patients legs will be resting in the concave cross-sectioned ascending and descending sides of the triangular-shaped leg rests 14. The patient will ordinarily be positioned so that the sacral bone is positioned directly over the rounded edge of the high end 20 of seating portion 12, therefore exposing the entire perineal body of the patient for eXamination and treatment. Straps 34 inserted through strap slots 32 may be used to restrain the legs of a patient during examination and treatment.

As hereinbefore described, the inner edge of leg rest 14 is greater in height than the outer edge 28 to prevent the patient from voluntarily or involuntarily closing his legs inwardly during the examination or treatment. Further, the upwardly extending edges 28 and 30 rising above the concave channel 26 help prevent the lateral movement of the patients legs.

Pan 18 provides a convenient basin in which to catch specimens, waste matter or liquids used in the irrigation cleansing or douching of the male or female perineal and pelvic areas. The pan 18 may also be used for retaining waste materials used in the drainage and irrigation of the bladder during bladder catheterization or collected during rectal urological or obstetrical and gynecological services. As may be seen, pan 18 may be removed for emptying the contents of the pan and for cleaning the pan to maintain sterile hygienic conditions. Of course, if several pans were available, a clean p-an may be used for different patients while the soiled pans that have been previously used are being cleaned.

The pan may vary in size but it has been found convenient to use a pan having approximately a four quart capacity. Of course, pans of various sizes may be utilized, and it has been found most convenient to have pans that will range in capacity from one to four quarts. The pan disclosed herein is shown as being trapezoidal in configuration, however, it may have any convenient shape.

The open space between the outer edge of the crosssupport brace 16 and the extending edge of the leg rests 14 provides an area in which the physician may work and provides direct access to the exposed perineal or pelvic area of the patient positioned in the apparatus 10. The working area adjacent the perineum and pelvic areas of the patent is enlarged due to the additional space provided by having the pan 18 at a lower level than the edge of the high end 20 of seating portion 12. The difference in height between the top surface of cross-support member 16 and higher end 20 of seating portion 12 provides additional space that is necessary for the manipulation of various examining or treatment instruments by the attending physician and enables him to conveniently perform the necessary examination or treatment at a minimum of discomfort to the patient.

According to the present invention, apparatus 10 is an integrally molded plastic body having a thickness of approximately 73 inch, an overall length of approximately 32 inches, a width across the widest portion of the diverging leg rests 14 of approximately 40 inches, and a height from the base to the top of the triangular shaped leg rests 14 of approximately 15 inches. With the body positioning device 10 molded as a one piece symmetrical body as disclosed herein, a convenient nesting feature is provided that enables several of the devices 10 to be stacked one upon the other when not in use. Such a nesting feature also reduces the space required for storage when the positioning devices are not in use.

The approximate suggested dimensions of the body positioning device 10 as hereinbefore mentioned, would provide a comfortable body positioning apparatus of a size convenient for use with most patients. Of course, the device as disclosed herein may be constructed in differing sizes to more comfortably accommodate smaller adult patients or children, or large persons that may not find a smaller size comfortable.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the interior upright surfaces 48 of the leg rests 14 may be provided with small racks or fittings for holding and supporting lights, mirrors and other instruments that may be used by the attending physician during examination and treatment. These various accessory attachments are not illustrated in the figures, but they may conveniently be provided on leg rest surfaces 48 and the outer surface 50 of crosssupport member 16.

Numerous variations and modifications may obviously be made in the structure herein described without departing from the present invention. Accordingly, it should be clearly understood that the forms of the invention herein described and shown in the figures of the accompanying drawings are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A body positioning device for use in performing medical examination and treatment of the perineal and rectal area of a patient, comprising a portable molded rigid body having a smooth contoured outer surface for accommodating the lower portion of the patient, said rigid body including,

a seating portion having a high end and a low end with a sloping contoured surface therebetween for accommodating the hips and buttocks of the patient,

a pair of upright triangular-shaped leg rests extending outwardly from said high end of said seating portion, said leg rests having a recessed channel along each ascending and descending side for accommodating the legs of the patient, and

a cross-support member spaced from the junction of said seating member and said triangular leg rests for providing structural stability, and

a removable pan adapted for placement in the opening between said cross-support member and said high end of said seating portion adjacent the junction with said leg rests for collecting specimens, irrigation fluids and other waste materials during the examination and treatment.

2. The body positioning device as described in claim 1, wherein said low end of said seating portion of said rigid body has a slot centrally disposed therein for providing a carrying handle.

3. The body positioning device as described in claim 2, including a plurality of straps insertable through slots disposed in the opening sides of said leg rests and located centrally adjacent said ascending and descending sides for securing the legs of the patient to said leg rests.

4. The body positioning device as described in claim 3, wherein the upper surface of said cross-support member lies in a plane below the level of said high end of said seating portion.

5. The body positioning device as described in claim 4, wherein said pan has an outwardly extending lip along at least one side to engage the top surface of said crosssupport member and an upwardly extending side opposite said one side engaging said cross-support member, said upwardly extending side having an outwardly extending lip suitable for engaging a shallow recess in the rounded edge of said high end of said seating portion and supporting said pan.

6. A portable body positioning device for use in performing medical examinations and treatment of the perineal and rectal area of a patient, comprising an A-shaped rigid body having a smooth contoured outer surface for accommodating the lower portion of the patient, said rigid body including,

a seating portion forming the apex of said A- shaped body and having a high end and a low end with a sloping contoured surface therebetween for accommodating the hips and buttocks of the patient,

a pair of vertically oriented triangular-shaped leg rests extending outwardly in a diverging relationship from said high end of said seating portion and forming the legs of said A-shaped body, said leg rests having a concave channel along each ascending and descending side for accommodating the legs of the patient, and

a cross-support member forming the cross-member of said A-shaped body and spaced from the junction of said seating member and said triangular leg rests for providing structural stability, and

a removable pan adapted for placement in the opening between said cross-support member and high end of said seating portion adjacent the junction with said 8 legs rests for collecting specimens, irrigation fluids and other waste materials during the examination and treatment.

7. The body positioning device as described in claim 6, wherein the upper surface of said cross-support member lies in a plane below the level of said high end of said seating portion.

8. The body positioning device as described in claim 7, wherein said pan has a flanged lip along the side adjacent said cross-support member for engaging the top surface of said cross-support member and an upwardly extending side opposite said side adjacent said cross-support member, said upwardly extending side having a flanged lip suitable for engaging a shallow recess in the rounded edge of said high end of said seating portion and supporting said pan.

9. The body positioning device as described in claim 6, wherein each of said leg rests have inner and outer flanged edges adjacent said concave channel for hindering lateral movement of the patients legs.

10. The body positioning device as described in claim 9, wherein said inner flanged edges are higher than said outer flanged edges for preventing inward lateral movement of the patients legs.

11. The body positioning device as described in claim 6, including a plurality of straps insertable through slots disposed in the opposing sides of said leg rests and located centrally adjacent said ascending and descending sides :for securing the legs of the patient to said device.

12. The body positioning device as described in claim 6, wherein said low end of said seating portion of said rigid body has a slot centrally disposed therein to provide a handle for carrying said rigid body.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,452,915 4/1923 Kennedy 5-327 1,619,685 3/1927 Updegrove et al. 5-327 2,887,151 5/1959 Springer 5-327 2,978,713 4/1961 Scalzitti 269-328 3,274,618 9/1966 Kahllo 4-112 CHARLES E. ROSENBAUM, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

